tregoning



W. C. TREGONING.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1919.

Zita/ 22251 Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET1 W. C. TREGONING.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16. 1919.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

C. TBEGONING, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR T0 BENJAMIN ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

Application filed April 16, 1919. Serial No. 290,432.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. Transom ING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Connectors, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates more particularly to separable electrical connectors for attachment plugs, bases, adapters, receptacles,etc., of which there are many different kinds in general use, especially wherein a separable interlocking connection is obtained by flat connector blades engaging fiat contact springs. For example, in one type of attachment plug, the separable connector member comprises two flat blades mounted in parallel spaced relation with their flat faces opposed, and in another type the blades are phi ed in edge to edge relation with the flat faces thereof lying in the same plane diametrically of the plug. In each type, the blades arefixed and require a corresponding arrangement of entrances and contact springs in the base memberto effect an interlocking connection. Obviously, where the blades of one type cannot be introduced into the entrances of the body or base of the other type, an electrical connection is impossible. This condition has been recognized, and a base member provided, in which two sets of entrances or a composite number of contact springs are used, whereby either arrangement of connector blade may be entered to make a connection. However, millions of the old bases remain in use and are still being furnished and the only recourse in making 'a connec-. tion therewith is to employ the distinctive companion member demanded.

In so far as concerns common subject matter this application is a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 98712 filed May 20, 1916.

My object is to provide a connector member in the form of a cap, adapter socket, or other body member with blades which may be readily adjusted to have universal application to various types of plugs, bases. etc., In use, and the speclfic device here1n shown for the urpose comprises a pair of swiveled contact lades adapted to be adjustably fixed n different relation to each other, whereby in one setting the blades are placed in parallel spaced relations with their fiat faces opposed, and in another setting the blades are placed in edge to edge relation with their flat faces in the same plane diametrically of a plug base, in this Way adapting the devices to be used with various base members having either or both arrangement of entrances and contact springs.

A further object is to produce a joint movement and setting of both connector blades in a convenient and practical wav. and other objects are embodied in other features of construction, all as hereinafter shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1s a face View of my improved electrical connector or cap member embodying swiveled blades, and Fig. 2 is a similar view with the blades set in edge to edge relation and facially in the same plane. Fig. 3 is a face view of the cap member without the blades and their fastening plates and screws. Fig. 4 is a cross section of the assembly of part shown in Fig. 1, this view being taken on line 44, Fig. 1, and showing a set of contact springs engaged by the blades. Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 2 showing another form of contact spring engaged by the blades. Fig. 6 is a cross section on line 66 Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the top or seating faces of a plug body having entrances and contact springs arranged with their faces in parallel relation, while Fig. 8 is a plan view of the end seating face of a separable plug body in which the entrances and contact springs are arranged with their respective faces in the same diametrical plane. Fig. 9 is a cross section of the cap member stripped of all other parts.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the cord gripping screw. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a blade and plate secured in swiveled con nection by an eyelet. Figs. 12 and 13 are plan and sectional views of a modified form of the invention, showing means to operate and set both blades jointly.

. Fig. 14 is a face view of my improved electrical attachment plug connector or cap member embodying swiveled blades which are journaled in the binding plates.

Fig. 15 is a cross section of the assembly of partsshown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the top or seating faces of a plug body having entrances and contact springs arranged with their faces in parallel relations to takethe jack-blades of the connector cap illustrated in Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the top or seating faces of a plug body having entrances and contact springs arranged with their faces in the same diametrical plane to take the ackblades of the electrical connector illustrated in Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a face view of another form of improved electrical connector and cap member embodying swiveled blades.

Fig. 19 is a cross section of an assembly of parts shown in Fig. 20; and

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 2020 of Fig. 14, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The connector member shown in Figs. 1 to 13 comprises a solid body 2 made of composition rubber, porcelain or other insulating material having a fiat seating face 3 provided with segmental recesses 4 which are open to a central screw-threaded bore 5 having side channels 6 terminating in large shoulders 7 and a smooth enlarged entrance 8, see Figs. 3 and 9. This enlarged entrance accommodates a relatively heavy cable having an insulated covering containing two independently insulated wires 99 adapted to occupy channel 6 with their stripped ends secured to separate terminal plates 10 by separate binding screws 11, see Fig. 6. To prevent wires 9 from being loosened and disconnected under pulling strains, both wires 9 are spread apart and wedged against shoulders 7 by the tapered or conical end of a screw 12 engaged with the screw threads in bore 5, and the head of this screw has a metal lined recess 13 adapted to receive a screw driver. lVedging screw 12 is made of insulating material, preferably, to permit direct engagement with the wires and it serves as an insulating barrier, especially at its head end where extended and enlarged to come between the terminal plates 10 and the two blades 14 which are pivotally secured to body 2 and said plates by screws 15, see Fig. 4.

The two pivot screws 15 are located opposite each other on the same diametrical line and at equal distances from theaXis of body 2, and each blade has a perforated end bent at right angles which is overlapped by the raised portion 16 of the plate 10. Pivot screw 15 engages a metal bushing 17 molded fast in body 2. and the blades are adapted to be locked, fixed, held or secured in any given position by tightening the screw,

while the limit of turning movement in opposite directions is fixed by stop shoulders 18 or the straight edges 18 in plate 10. Less than ninety degrees of turning movement is involved to shift the blades into face to face relation or edge to edge relation. When the blades are set face to face as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a separable interlocking connection can be made with a plug body or base member 20 having parallel sets of contact springs 21 and parallel entrances 22, seeFigs. 4 and 7. When the blades are set in edge to edge relation with their flat faces in the same plane diametrically of the body, a connection can be established with a plug or base member 25 having a corresponding arrangement of entrances and contact springs 24, 25, see Figs. 5 and 8. Obviously,

the use of the connector is not limited to a base having a single set of entrances, it may also be used with the composite type of base having a double set of entrances arranged to receive either arrangement of blades. In the types of bases shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the parallel entrances are relatively nearer the axis than the linear arrangement of entrances, a condition which is effectively met in adjustments by locating the pivot point for each blade in one side of the longitudinal plane of the blade.

The bases shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are adapted to take the blades of the electrical attaclnnent plugs, connectors or caps illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, Figs. 12 and 13 and Figs. 18 and 19; Whereas the bases illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 are adapted to take the blades of the electrical attachment plugs, connectors or cap member illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, in which the pivot part for each jack blade is located in the center or median line of the blade.

Interlocking of the blades and springs is effected by transverse shoulders 26 and projecting edge portions 27 produced in the blade by compressing the stock on a straight line from edge to edge of the blade. Thus, the stock displacing by depressing the surface on both sides of the blade to form a web and the straight shoulders 26, spreads out beyond each longitudinal edge of the blade and forms the projections 27, and the straight shoulders 26 are adapted to be engaged by ribs 29 or other projecting portions in the contact springs 21, see Fig. 4, while the edge projections 27 are adapted to be engaged by a rib or end offset 29 in a contact spring 25, see Fig. 5.

In Fig. 11, I show a plate 30 and a blade 31 secured in swiveled relation by an eyelet 32, while in Figs. 12 and 13, I show a rab beted ring 30 held in rotatable seating position upon body 31 by flat terminal plates 32 and engaged at diametrically opposed points by rounded fingers 33 extending from the bent ends 34 of the blades 35. A partial rotation of the ring 30 in one direction places the faces of the blades parallel, and a reverse rotation sets both blades with their respective faces in the same plane diametrically of the body, a position shown in Fig. 12. Or ring 30 may be omitted, and

fingers 33 insulated and operated singly.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 14 and 15 which show an attachment plug or cap 40 composed of insulating material which is fitted with a central opening 41 to admit the supply wires which are connected to the binding plates 42 by means of binding screws such as 43. The cap 40 is fitted with recesses 44 and 45, in which the binding plates 42 are located. Cap 40 is also fitted on either side with an opening or aperture to accommodate a screw such as 46 which serves to secure the binding plates 42 in the recesses 44 and 45. Each binding plate is fitted with, a slot such as 47, which serves to receive the cylindrical shank 48 of the jack-blades 49. Connected to and integral with the lower end of the cylindrical shank 48 of the blade 49 is the cylindrical disk 50 and secured to and integral with the upper end of the cylindrical shank 48 is the jackblade proper 51.

The recesses 44 and 45 are each provided with a depression as shown at 52 and 53 of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the disk 50, the disks 50 being fitted in these depressions, after the j ack-blade 49 is slipped in the slot 47 of the binding plates 42 and the combined binding plate 42 and jack-blade 49 are assembled in the cap 40. The depressions 52 and 53 serve to positively position the jack-blades 49 in the slots 47 of the binding plates.

In assembling a cap of this type the screws 46 are first inserted in place, after which the binding plates 42 with the j ack-blades 49 in position in the slots 47 are fitted in their respective recesses 44 and 45, the disks 50 of the blade being fitted in the depressions 52 and 53 respectively. Screws 46 are then inserted and screwed up tight in a threaded aperture such as 56 in the binding plate 42 which is arranged to receive the threaded end of the screw 46. When the screws 46 are drawn up tight the binding plate 42 and the jack-blade 49 will 'be held in position. When thuspositioned the apertures 57 in the cap 40 serve to receive the head of thescrews 46, after which the apertures 57 are filled with a suitalble insulating compound and the ends of the screws projecting through the binding plate 42 are preferably swaged to prevent loosening thereof. When the cap is thus assembled it will be evident that the jack blades 49 are journaled in the slots 47 and can 'be readily turned to any position desired by exerting a turning force to the jack blades 49 which will cause the disks 50 to turn in their coiiperating depressions 52 and 53 and the cylindrical shank or journal 48 in the slot 47.

In this type of construction it is obvious that the jack-blades 49 rotate on their center or median line and that these attachment plugs or caps, consequently, cannot be used with the type of bases shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Caps or attachment plugs of this type can be utilized with bases such as shown in Figs. 16 and 17 in which the slots which cooperate with the jack-blades, such as the slots 60 and 61 in Fig. 15 fitted in the face 52, and the slots 63 and 64 fitted in the insulatingbase 65, have their center points in the same position in the base. Thus the positioning of the slots 63 and 64 in the base 65 of Fig. 17 is determined by rotating the slots 60 and 61 in the base 62 of Fig. 16 about the center point of the slots 60 and 61 in the said base 62.

The connector cap or attachment plug illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 comprises an insulating base portion 66 fitted with a central opening 67 to receive the service wires. The exterior of the base 66 is fitted with apertures which in the finished cap are filled with insulating compound 68, and the interior of the base if fitted with the recess 69, the apertures 68 on the exterior and the recess 69 on the interior, forming transverse walls such as 70 and 71 diametrically opposed on each side of the cap. These Walls 70 are apertured to receive the hollow rivets such as 72,'these hollow rivets serving to hold in position the connector binding plates such as 73 and the jack-blades such as 74. The jack-blades 74 are'fitted in their lower end with perforated right angular shanks and the binding plates are also perforated to receive the hollow rivets 72. The binding plates are also fitted with threaded perforations at the end opposite to the rivet end to receive binding screws such as 75. In assembling the type of cap illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 the jack blades 74 and binding 11 plates 73 are positioned in the recess 69 above the perforation in the walls 70 and 71 and the hollow rivets 72 are then passed through alined perforation. The rivets are then swaged, or turned down to hold the 115 binding plates, j ack-blades and cap in their coiiperating positions. When the hollow rivets have been placed in position the insulating compound 68 is filled into the exterior slots or apertures so as to insulate all live 1 contacts from the exterior of the cap to pre- .vent accidental shocks.

When the cap is thus assembled it will be obvious that the jack-blades 74 can be readily rotated about the hollow rivets 72 by ex- 125 erting a rotative force to the blades 74.

The operating positions of the blade are determined by stops such as 76 and 77, similar to the stops illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 hereinbefore described. When the blades 74 130 in Figs. 18 and 19 are rotated against the stops such as 76 and 77, the cap will be adapted to cooperate with the bases such as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

It Will now be evident from the preceding detailed description that the caps illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive and Figs. 12 and 13, distinguish from the caps illustrated in Figs. lat, 15, 18 and 19, in that the blades illustrated and the caps shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive and Figs. 12 and 13, are provided with means, for example the screws 15, for holding, securing or fixing the jack-blades against accidental displacement when it has been adjusted to its desired operative position, whereas, in the caps shown in Figs. 14, 15, 18 and 19 no such means is provided. The jack blades in these latter figures are not provided with means, to increase the resistance to displacement of the blades, when the blades have been adjusted to their desired operative positions.

Obviously this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment thereof herein illustrated and described but is capable of many other applications and variations within its spirit and scope as pointed out in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A connector member for electrical attaclnnent plugs, bases, etc., comprising a .body having terminals in the form of blades adjustably mounted thereon and adapted to be set in different angular relations.

2. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having adjustable connector blades adapted to be set either in facial or edge to edge relations.

3. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having pivoted connector blades arranged to turn into either facial or edge to edge relation.

4. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body and a pair of fiat blades pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the center thereof and adapted to turn relatively to one another into diflerent angular relation.

5. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body and a pair of fiat connector blades pivotally mounted thereon, the pivots being offset relatively to the longitudinal plane of the blades.

6. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body and a pair of flat connector blades swiveled to turn into parallel relation and also more distant linear relation.

7. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having a central opening, blades pivotally mounted at opposite sides of said opening, and wire connecting means for said 7 blades.

8. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having a wire opening, blades adjustably mounted upon said body and adapted to be set either in facial or edge relations, and wire fastening means for each blade.

9. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body and terminal plates thereon having wire connecting means, and blades pivotally engaged With said plates at opposite sides of the axial center of said body.

10. A connector member for electrical at tachment plugs, bases, etc.,v comprising a body having a central opening, a pair of blades pivotally mounted upon said body at opposite sides of said opening and adapted to be set either in facial relation or in edge to edge relation in the same plane diametrically of the body, and wire connecting means for said blades.

11. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having a central opening, terminal plates having binding screws, and a pair of connector blades having pivotal connection with said plates.

12. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having a wire opening therein and a pair of connector blades in pivotal connection therewith, and terminal plates overlapping the seating end of said blades and provided With wire binding screws.

13. A connector member for electrical attachment plugs, bases, etc., comprising a body having a pair of blades pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the axial center thereof and adapted to be turned either into facial relation or edge to edge relation in the same plane diametrically of said body, stops to limit the turning movement of said blade, and wire connecting means for said blades.

14. In an electrical connector, in combination, a base having spring contacts, a connector member having swiveled blades adapted to be set in different angular relations to each other to efl'ect engagement With said contacts, and wire connecting means for said blades.

15. An attachment plug having jacks adjustableto difl'erent relative positions to cooperate With the terminals of receptacles of difierenttypes.

16. An attachment plug having jack blades adjustable to different relative angular positions.

17. An attachment plug having pivotally supported jack blades.

18. An attachment plug having jack blades pivotally supported on substantially parallel axes.

body having a wire opening therein, and a connector blade in pivotal connection therewith and provided with a Wire binding screW.

22. An attachment plug having a jack adjustable to different relative positions to cooperate With the terminals of receptacles of diflerent types.

23. An attachment plug having a jack blade adjustable to different relative angular positions.

24. An attachment plug having a pivotally supported jack blade.

WILLIAM G. TREGONING. 

